FBI to investigate death in police custody

The FBI has launched a federal civil rights investigation into the death of a man who died in Milwaukee police custody, the local special agent in charge said Wednesday.

Derek Williams, 22, died July 6, 2011, when police video shows him struggling to breath in the back of a squad car. Following an investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Milwaukee County medical examiner last month changed the manner of Williams’ death from natural to homicide.

District Attorney John Chisholm has emphasized the medical examiner’s revised finding doesn’t mean a crime was committed. Medical examiners define homicide as “death at the hands of another.” The crime of homicide requires prosecutors to prove intent to kill or reckless disregard for life.